







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I only have 3 hours today. | |
| Maybe they prefer electric stoves in shared houses for safety reasons. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | |
| I like some Jamiroquai songs, but not all of them. | |
| My husband and I really appreciate it. | |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| Also, he has got a very lovely, cute dog. | |
| Congratulations, I wish you luck. | |
| Then, I don't think we need to see the next one! | |
| Yes, that's the one. | |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| Hey Mike, you look so worried! | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| Don't worry, we don't do it everyday. | |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | |
| That's extreme, I don't think we have a mortar and pestle. | |